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Both of those teams made the playoffs last year

The Thunder

Shai averaged 32 6 and 6 with a below average young team. They are a year older, they got their number 2 pick back who’s had a full offseason, and are deep as hell.

They could either be surprisingly good from the start, or move some players and the treasure chest of picks to get a star.

The Cavaliers, easily.

The bulls haha just fuckin around

The Chicago b- lol I can’t even say that with a straight face

Thunder and Kings.

It's hard to see anybody in the East making a deep run when the Celtics and Bucks meet them.

The Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers of Anaheim

Miami

Memphis IMO is going underrated. Healthy they have a strong defensive group with some heavy hitting offensive stars. I think they’re the 3rd best team in the west behind Lakers and Denver, both teams which can be derailed with injuries.

It sure won’t be the Grizzlies 😔

Chicago

Coby White / Ayo Dosunmu / Dalen Terry

Zach LaVine / Jevon Carter / Onuralp Bitim

DeMar DeRozan / Alex Caruso / Julian Phillips / Justin Lewis

Patrick Williams / Torrey Craig / Terry Taylor

Nikola Vucevic / Andre Drummond / Adama Sanogo

Sac and Indy

OKC. Feels like they could actually go to Conference Finals.

I wouldn't really call the Wolves a dark horse team but do love the pick as a team that not many consider a West finals team. I think people do think they have that potential and pretty universally that they can be up to a top 4 West team.

Pelicans are different---most have them 8th-11th when they were the #1/2 seed up until Zion's injury last season. I have no reason to believe they're not capable of that again. They're gonna be a big problem this season---Ingram/Zion offensive combo is extremely difficult to stop.

Denver Nuggets

I’m seeing a lot of people have their picks as teams with dudes who seemingly don’t enjoy playing professional basketball cough cough Zion cough cough Kawhi cough cough Kyrie

If you think Trae Young is going to be a superstar at some point, I think this is the year Atlanta makes a big jump. I think getting rid of Collins was an addition by subtraction kind of situation, and the rest of the roster is seemingly perfect to fit around Trae, with a bunch of switchable wings and 2 bigs that can switch/protect the rim if someone blows by Trae. Honestly I’m a pretty big Trae non believer so I think this is ACTUALLY the year that Trae cannot lead a team to success by himself but if I’m wrong I won’t be surprised as again, I like what they have done around him.

Orlando is a semi obvious pick, team with 2 really good young players improves, like no shit. I think 40+ wins is pretty realistic for them.

T-Wolves are a team that I think could make a run as a team not talked about much.

Also, the Thunder might surprise this year, but winning more like the Kings last year (higher seed than expected, with a chance to win a series).

Barring injuries the clippers. But I am surprised not many people are saying the kings they have a good complete squad and did very well last year and the nuggets just proved last year you don't need a shot blocker to succeed in the playoffs

Everyone has written them off, but I’ve learned not to bet against Tyrese Maxey beating expectations. He’ll destroy people with a smile on his face.